A spokeswoman for Ms Bishop told the publication it ‘was appropriate’ for senior leaders from all parties to attend the AFL grand final as part of their official duties.

It was also reported the minister had a list of ‘official commitments’ surrounding the biggest day of the AFL calendar.

The Foreign Minister previously told The West Australian that attending the grand final meant she was supporting the AFL.

‘The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the AFL are partners in sports development in the Pacific and I intend to continue to be a strong supporter of the AFL in our joint endeavours to use sport as a means of developing young people in the Pacific,’ Ms Bishop said.

A spokeswoman for Ms Bishop told the publication it ‘was appropriate’ for senior leaders from all parties to attend the AFL grand final as part of their official duties

It was also reported the minister had a list of ‘official commitments’ surrounding the biggest day of the AFL calendar

During her visit, the minister was seen attending the Liberal Party’s Dunkley blue ribbon fundraiser and the Liberal Ladies Who Legislate forum.

However, Ms Bishop’s office have not issued any official engagement alerts since arriving in Melbourne.

It is against the parliamentary expense regulations to use taxpayer funding to travel to party fundraisers.